BABY POLAR

Age Range: 4 - 7

Pub Date: Nov. 1st, 2009ISBN: 978-0-618-99850-0Publisher: Clarion

A storm is coming, but this baby polar bear wants to play. “Only for a little while. This might be a big storm,” says his mother, who has a huge furry body that surrounds him like a warm cave. Balouch’s digital art resembles cut paper, creating a vivid winter atmosphere as it shows Baby Polar frolicking merrily in the snow, and playful, nicely descriptive text curves around the page to capture his movements. As the sky grows dark, Baby Polar looks for his mother and can’t find her. After searching, he protects himself by digging a hole in the snow for warmth and protection. It’s almost like a cave, almost like…wait, there’s her heartbeat! And in an instant Baby Polar is safe again. This winning tale of mother and child is sweetly circular. The simple text is replete with warmth, humor and gentle suspense; every Baby Polar—or child—will find something to appreciate here. (Picture book. 4-7)